Palaeontologia africana

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ISSN (print): 0078-8554 ISSN (electronic): 2410-4418 For queries regarding content of Palaeontologia africana collections please contact Jonah Choiniere by email : jonah.choiniere@wits.ac.za or Tel : 011 717 6684

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Has files: YesSubject: search.filters.subject.Therocephalia

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    Craniomandibular anatomy of the akidnognathid therocephalian Olivierosuchus parringtoni from the Early Triassic of South Africa
    (Evolutionary Studies Institute, 2023) Gigliotti, Alessandro; Pusch, Luisa C; Kammerer, Christian F; Benoit, Julien; Fröbisch, Jörg
    Therocephalians were an ecomorphologically varied and diverse-sized group of therapsids with widespread distribution during the late Permian and earliest Triassic periods. Here, we redescribe the holotype of the therocephalian Olivierosuchus parringtoni (BP/1/3849) from the Early Triassic Lystrosaurus declivis Assemblage Zone in the main Karoo Basin of South Africa. The specimen includes a complete skull, mandible, and the anterior portion of the skeleton. Previously unknown endocranial features are described using high-resolution computed tomography (CT), including internal surfaces of braincase and palatal bones, as well as soft tissue structures such as the brain and inner ear endocasts. Comparisons with closely related therapsids permit a detailed comparative analysis of the brain and inner ear morphology of Olivierosuchus.
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    On small Therocephalians
    (Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1961-08-01)
    The snout of a new specimen of Akidnognathus parvus is described in detail from serial sections at .5mm. intervals. Special reference is made to the structure of the septomaxillary and its possible morphological significance. It is suggested that its peculiar arrangement is relatable to a readaptation in the mode of smelling in mammal-like Reptiles. Additional descriptions deal with new specimens assignable to Ictidostoma hemburyi, Ictidosuchops intermedius, Ictidosuchops bauroides and Ictidosuchoides longiceps. All descriptions are accompanied by adequate figures. The new information adds little to existing views on the relationship of the families Ictidosuchidae and Scaloposauridae.
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    The postcranial skeleton of the basal therocephalian Glanosuchus macrops (Scylacosauridae) and comparison of morphological and phylogenetic trends amongst the Theriodontia
    (Bernard Price institute for Palaeontological Research, University of the Witwatersrand, 2009-12) Fourie, Heidi; Rubidge, Bruce S.
    The postcranial morphology of the early scylacosaurid therocephalian Glanosuchus macrops from the Pristerognathus Assemblage Zone of the Beaufort Group is described and compared with that of later therocephalians. This database is used as a basis to identify postcranial differences between therocephalians, gorgonopsians and cynodonts in an attempt to increase understanding of the postcranial anatomy of theriodont therapsids. It is demonstrated that some postcranial elements can be used to identify particular theriodont groups. The T-shaped interclavicle, absence of ossified sternum, humerus without shaft area, and large pubic foramen are characteristics of therocephalians from the Tapinocephalus Assemblage Zone of the Beaufort Group of South Africa.